Overbed table



July 13, 1965 M. M. LINDER ETAL OVERBED TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 13, 1964 ....:zzsiw M@ fin/VL n def# @@ffed Prum July 13, 1965 M. M. LINDER ETAL 3,194,187

OVERBED TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1964 July 13, 1965 M. M. LINDER ETAL 3,194,187

OVERBED TABLE Filed Jan. 13, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 Sheets-Sheet 1J:`

M. M. UNDER ETA;

OVERBED TABLE frzvezr's" Ma FLML maier dba' m f3@ M' @Y Fred July 13, 1965 Filed Jan. 13, 1964 United States Patent O 3,194,187 OVEREED TABLE Martin M. Linder, Villa Park, and Fred Pruim, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Borg-Warner Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 337,266 2 Claims. (Cl. 10S-146) Thi-s invention relates to an overbed table and more particularly, to Ian overbed table which is directly vertically adjustable -by :the application of a vertical force.

The presently known adjustable overbed tables are typically provided with a crank mechanism for vertically adjusting the top thereof. This general approach Ito the adjustment of an overbed table is usually slow and often cumbersome. However, in view of the necessity for reliability in maintaining the vertical adjustment of overbed tables, this general .approach has nevertheless been predominantly utilized as a necessary means for providing an acceptably reliable overbed table. It is therefore highly advantageous to provide an overbed table which can `be quickly and simply vertically Iadjusted and yet maintain a highly reliable Vertical adjustment.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an overbed table of relatively simple 'and economical construction lthat is Vreadily and directly adjustable in a vertical direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide an overbed table which can be readily and rapidly adjusted vertically by an invalid, patient or attendant with a simple and direct fingertip touch- A further object of this invention is to provide a vertically adjustable overbed table that provides ready access to the mechanism therefor and `that does not have any cumbersome, Iawkward or strenuous manipulating mechanism, such as a crank for example, which would be extremely diicult or physically impossible for certain invalids, patients or other persons to manipulate.

An additional object of this invention is to provide lan overbed table that may be directly adjusted vertically by the use of the iingertips but which will resist undesirable vertical movement of .the table top from lthe adjusted position `due to the force of gravity or other external for-ces exerted on the table top.

With Ithese and other objects in view, the present invention contemplates an overbed table having a table top having an extension telescopically mounted over a vertical extension of a table base and is spring biased vertically away from said base` to partially odset the effects of gravity on said top wherein an` adjustable mechanism is provided for adjustably locking the table top in vertical positions and wherein an easily actuated handle and linkage are connected with the .adjusting mechanism to allow said table top :adjustment mechanism to be unlocked and adjusted `by the application of a unidirectional minimum vertical force Ito the handle.

Other objects, advantages, and novel aspects of the invention will become apparent upon the following detailed description in conjunction with the `accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view `of an overbed table show- `ing the structure thereof.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the overbed table taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the telescoping position of the base extension, the top extension and the adjusting frame.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional View of the overbed table taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the inter-meshing rack gear and toothed portion of the adjusting mechamsm.

`FIG 4 i-s a partial sectional view of the overbed table taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the handle link- 3,l94,l7 Patented July 13, 1965 .age portion of the adjusting mechanism and the spring means for urging the table upwardly.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the overbed table taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3 4showing the roller support at the bottom of the adjusting frame and the adjusting linkage connected to the handle between the handle and the gear.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the overbed table taken along line 6 6 of FIG. 4 showing the handle p0rtion of the adjusting linkage and the mounting of the negator springs for urging the table top upwardly.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the overbed ltable taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2 showing the telescopic inter-position of the base extension, top extension and adjusting frame at the top of lsaid top extension,

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the overbed table taken along line 8--8 rof FIG. 5 showing the telescopic inter position of the base extension, top extension and `adjusting frame in the bottom portion of the top extension.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an over- 'bed table structure (FIG. 1) that embodies the invention and which is generally designated by the numeral lll. The` overbed table 12 `and in an interconnecting column portion generally designated by the numeral 13. The base 11 includes, among -other things, a horizontal member 14 supported by fixed or movable casters 15. The top l2 includes, among other things, a horizontal surface 16 and a column supporting Ibracket 18.

The column I3` includes members. In particular, the lar base extension generally designated by the numeral 2li which is rigidly securedto the horizontal member 14 (FIG. 5) yand which extends vertically upwardly therefrom. The column 13 also includes a tubular top extension 21 secured to the -bracket 18 and which extends vertically `downwardly in telescopic relation over the tubular base extension 20. Further, the column 13 includes an adjustment assembly generally designated by the numeral 22 mainly contained within the tubular base extension 2) (FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8).

The tubular base extension 20 is provided with a tubular column 25 secured to the base 11 (FIG. 5), a top bracket 26 (FIG. 4) secured to the top thereof, a spring bracket 27 secured to the top bracket 26, a roller bracket 29 secured to the spring 'bracket 27 by screws 3@ or other appropriate securing mean-s, a roller 31 pivotably mounted in the roller bracket 29 in engagement with the inner surface of the top extension 21, a pair of rollers 32 rotatably mounted on the top bracket 26 in engagement with the inner surface of the top extension 2l, and upper and lower negat-or springs 133 `and 34 respectively (FIGS. 4 and 6) rotatably supported on pins 3S on the spring bracket 27.

The upper negator spring 33 (FIGS. 4 and 6) is ex` tended from the top thereof downwardly along the right side (FIGS. 3 and 6) of the tubular top extension 21. The spring 34 has an outer end 36 which is secured to the bottom of the top extension 2.1 (FIGS. 3 and 5) by an anchor clip assembly 37. The upper neg-ator spring 33 is thereby applied between the top extension 21 and the spring bracket 27 of the base extension 2li so as to urge the extension 21 upwardly against the force of gravity on the top 12.

Similarly, the lower negator spring 34 extends from the top thereof and downwardly along the left side (FIG. 6) of the tubular top extension 21. The lower spring 34 has an outer end. 38 which is secured4 to the bottom of the top extension `21 (FIGS. 3 `and 5) by an anchor clip assembly 39. The lower negator spring is thus secured between the top extension 21 and the spring bracket generally three telescoping column 13 includes a tubu- 10 includes generally a `base lil, a top roller bracket surface 58 thereby 27 of the base extension 26 so as to act in conjunction with spring 33 to urge the tubular top extension 21 and the attached top 12 upwardly against the force of gravity exerted on the top.

The adjustment assembly 22 is provided with a frame bracket 45 (FIGS. 4 and 7) rigidly secured to the upper inner surface of the tubular top extension 21, a U-shaped channel frame portion 46 (FIGS. 2-5, 7 and S) having i Walls 46a secured to the frame bracket 45 by screws 47 (FIG. 4) or other securing means. The channel 46 has a bottom frame 4S rigidly secured thereto. Three rollers t9 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 8) are rotatably supported on the bottom `frame 4S in rolling engagement with opposite inner surfaces of the tubular base extension column 25 of the base extension 26 for movably supporting the bottom portion of the adjustment assembly within the base extension 26 against left and right movement (FIGS. 5 and 8). Similarly, rollers 5t) are rotatably mounted on the bottom frame 46 for supporting the adjustment assembly 22 against fore and aft movement within the tubular base extension 20. Glide buttons 51 which may be made of plastic are provided for aiding in the sliding support of the telescoping members of the table 16.

Lower and upper stops 55 and 56 are provided on the top and bottom frame 4S for respectively engaging a surface 57 of the horizontal base member 14 when the table top 12 is in the down position (FIGS. 3 and 5) and a bottom surface 58 of the roller bracket 29 (FIG. 4) when the table top 12 and the adjustment assembly are in the uppermost position. The base surface 57 and the act as the lower and upper limits of the adjustment of the table top 12. The adjustment assembly 22 also includes a locking linkage 65 as hereinafter described.

The locking linkage 65 has a gear 66 (FIGS. 3 and 5) rotatably mounted on a shaft 67 between the walls 46a of the channel 46 and in mesh with a vertical rack 63 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 8) which is rigidly secured to the left side (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the base extension column 25; The locking linkage 65 further includes a toothed lock member 69 (FIGS. 3 and 5) adapted to slide radially into meshed engagement with the gear 66. The member 69 is rigidly secured to the lower end 7i) (FIG. 5) of a slide link 71. The slide link '71 is slidably secured to a wall of the channel 46 along a central portion 72 of the link 71 for Vertical sliding movement by a slide link bracket 73 secured to the channel 46.

A rod 74 is positioned within the channel 46 and is sildably mounted in a spring reaction bracket 75 and a horizontal upper end 76 of the link 71. The rod 74 is threaded into the upper portion 76 of the link 71. A compression spring7 7S is positioned on the rod between the reaction bracket 75 and the horizontal upper end 76 of the link 71 which acts against the bracket 75 to urge the link 71 downwardly to cause the lock member 69 to normally engage the gear 66.

Inasmuch as the rollers 31, 49 and Sil maintain the upper and lower extensions and the channel of the adjust ment assembly in substantial axial telescopic alignment, the gear 66 which is confined to meshing engagement with the rack 68 so as to be forced to rotate counterclockwise (FIG. 3) when the table top 12, the attached extension 21 and adjustment assembly 22 are moved upwardly. Similarly, the gear 66 has to rotate clockwise (FIG. 3) when the table top 12, the attached extension and adjustment assembly 22 are moved downwardly. However, inasmuch as the toothed lock member 69 is normally in meshed engagement with the gear 66 as previously described, the gear is normally held against rotation and the table top 12 is normally locked against vertical movement.

A handle 85 has an exposed portion 85a and a portion 85b enclosed within the column 15. The handle S5 is pivotally connected to the left (FIG. 4) inner surface of .the top extension 2 1 by a hinge 86. The rod 74 ex- 4l tends thru an opening 87 in a handle cross bar 83 and is provided with a horizontal pin 39 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 7) which is adapted to engage an upper surface 90 of the cross bar 88 so that when the handle 85 is pivoted counterclockwise about the hinge S6 (FIG. 4) the cross bar S8 will act upwardly upon the pin 89 to urge the rod and connected link 71 upwardly and ultimately disengage the toothed lock member 69 from its normally locking meshed engagement with the gear 66.

When the handle is pivoted counterclockwise the compression spring 78 will urge the link '71 and the attached rod 74 downwardly so that lock member 69 will ultimately be lockingly meshed with the gear 66 to relock the table top 12 against vertical movement. It should be noted that the handle is limited in its downward or clockwise movement to a position A (FIG. l) by a surface 91 on the channel 46. Similarly, the handle 85 is limited in its upwardly or counterclockwise movement to a position B (FIGS. l, 2, 3 and 5) by the engagement of the lower portion 76 of link 71 with the bottom of the bracket 73.

To raise the table top 12 from any vertical position maintained by the lock 69 in meshed engagement with the gear 66, the handle S5 is pivoted counterclockwise (FIGS. 2 and 4) until the horizontal portion 7) of link 71 engages the brackets 73 at the upper limit B. The counterclockwise pivotal movement of the handle 85 thus releases the lock 69 from meshing engagement with the gear 66 to release the table top 12 for vertical movement.` The table top 12 is thereupon moved directly upwardly by urging the handle directly upwardly while the handle is in the upward limit of its pivotal movement. Thus by directing a single direct vertical force against the handle S5, the handle 85 will rst be pivoted to its upper limit B releasing the lock 69 and thereafter acting directly to raise the table top 12 to a predetermined higher vertical position.

To lock the table top in a predetermined raised position, the exposed portion 85b of the handle 85 is moved downwardly more rapidly than the table top 12 would normally move under the effects of gravity so that the handle 85 will pivot clockwise (FIGS. 2 and 4) relative to the table top 12. This will allow the compression spring 78 to urge the lock 69 into meshing locking engagement with the gear 66 and thereby lock the table top 12 -in the predetermined vertical raised position.

To lower the table top 12 from any predetermined raised position, the handle 85 is rst raised so that the handle will pivot counterclockwise (FIGS. 2 and 4) and raise the rod 74 and connected lock 69 to remove the lock 69 from locking engagement from the gear 66. When the handle approaches the upper limit B of the pivotal movement thereof, a minimum upward force is exerted on the handle sufficient only to maintain the handle in the upper pivoted position B thereof, but insuicient to maintain the vertical position of the table top 12 or to urge the table top 12 vertically upward. The minimum force thereby applied to handle 85 will allow the gravitational effects on the table top 12 to urge the table top downwardly against the minimum force and allowing a vertical downward adjusting movement of table top 12.

To lock the table top 12 in a vertically lowered position, the handle S5 is moved downwardly more rapidly than the table top 12 would normally move freely under the effects of gravity so that the handle 85 is pivoted clockwise. The clockwise pivoting of the handle 85 will allow the spring 78 to urge the rod 74 and the lock 69 downwardly causing the lock to meshingly engage the gear 66 to lock the table top 12 in the vertically lowered position.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, except only insofar as the claims may be so limited, as it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1, A vertically adjustable overbed table comprising a base having a vertical tubular extension, a top having a vertical tubular extension telescopically movably mounted over said tubular base extension, means for urging said top upwardly to partially support the weight of said top, a vertical rack rigidly secured to said bottom tubular extension, a gear rotatably mounted on said top extension in meshing engagement with said rack for rotation by said rack when said top is telescopically moved relative to said base extension, a toothed lock member slidably mounted on said top and normally in meshed locking engagement with said gear for preventing rotation of said gear and movement of said top relative to said base extension rack, and a substantially horizontal lever pivotally connected to said table top and drivingly connected with said lock for releasing said lock when said lever is pivoted upwardly to allow direct vertical adjusting movement of said top. p

2. A vertically adjustable overbed table comprising a hase having a vertical tubular extension, a top having a vertical tubular extension telescopically movably mounted over said tubular base extension, adjusting said top relative to said base, said adjusting means including an adjustment frame rigidly secured to said top and positioned within said bottom and said top` tubular extensions, roller means mounted on said frame adjacent the base portion thereof in rolling engagement with said base extension for vertically movably supporting the bottom portion of said frame within said base extension, roller means mounted on said base eX- tension adjacent the top portion thereof in rolling engagement with said top extension for vertically movably means for vertically 2 supporting said top extension telescopica'lly on said base extension, a vertical rack rigidly secured to the inner surface ot said base extension, means for urging said frame telescopically Within said base extension toward said top to partially support the Weight of said top, a gear rotatably mounted on said frame in meshing engagement with said rack for rotation by said rack when said frame is telescopically'moved relative to said base extension, a toothed' References Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 744,613 1l/03 Reimold` 10S-147 1,243,750 10/17 Miller 108--147 2,649,345 8/53 Hubbard 108-144 2,685,487 8/54 Woller 10S-146 2,982,050 5/61 May 108-136 X 2,999,729 9/61 Semmelrolth 10B-146 3,123,024 3/64 Bronson 108-136 3,123,829 3/64 Bronson 10S-136 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,247,425 10/ 60 France.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Erczmz'ner. 

1. A VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE OVERBED TABLE COMPRISING A BASE HAVING A VERTICAL TUBULAR EXTENSION, A TOP HAVING A VERTICAL TUBULAR EXTENSION TELESCOPICALLY MOVABLY MOUNTED OVER SAID TUBULAR BASE EXTENSION, MEANS FOR URGING SAID TOP UPWARDLY TO PARTIALLY SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF SAID TOP, A VERTICAL RACK RIGIDLY SECURED TO SAID BOTTOM TUBULAR EXTENSION, A GEAR ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID TOP EXTENSION IN MESHING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RACK FOR ROTATION BY SAID RACK WHEN SAID TOP IS TELESCOPICALLY MOVED RELATIVE TO SAID BASE EXTENSION, A TOOTHED LOCK MEMBER SLID- 